USAID/Kosovo EG Portfolio in Brief

Initial assessments identified key challenges in the agricultural sector, including limited market access and limited market access and low crop yields. The Kosovo economy had a GDP of €3,792 million in 2009, with 45% of the population below the national poverty line and 7% considered extremely poor. The EG Program focused on three key areas: growth and fiscal sustainability, private sector growth and investment, and reliable energy supply. The Growth and Fiscal Sustainability Initiative (GFSI) aimed to improve the business environment and increase private sector growth. The Kosovo Private Enterprise Program (KPEP) provided training and technical assistance to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The New Opportunities for Agriculture (NOA) program focused on improving agricultural productivity and market access. The Kosovo economy had a high unemployment rate of 45%, with 64.4% of job seekers lacking qualifications. The current account deficit was 16% of GDP, and the budget deficit was €85.6 million (2.2% of GDP). The country's exports were €162 million, while imports were €1,898 million, resulting in a trade balance of -€1,736 million (44.5% of GDP). The EG Program implemented several projects to address these challenges. The KEK Network and Supply Project aimed to improve the business environment and increase private sector growth. The Business Enabling Environment Program (BEEP) provided training and technical assistance to SMEs. The Youth Entrepreneurship Program (YEP) focused on promoting entrepreneurship among young people. The Kosovo Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Commercial Finance Fund provided loan guarantees to support SMEs. The EG Program also implemented the Efficient and Sustainable Tax Administration of Kosovo (ESTAK) project, which aimed to improve the tax administration system. The Advisory Services to Assist the Privatization of the Distribution Company in Kosovo (AEAI) project provided technical assistance to support the privatization of the distribution company. The Kosovo Private Enterprise Program (KPEP) provided training and technical assistance to SMEs, while the New Opportunities for Agriculture (NOA) program focused on improving agricultural productivity and market access. The EG Program implemented several projects to address the challenges in the agricultural sector. The Growth and Fiscal Sustainability Initiative (GFSI) aimed to improve the business environment and increase private sector growth. The Kosovo Private Enterprise Program (KPEP) provided training and technical assistance to SMEs. The New Opportunities for Agriculture (NOA) program focused on improving agricultural productivity and market access.